Wikipedia

Draft:Jammu and Kashmir Awami Ittehad Party



Jammu and Kashmir Awami Ittehad Party
AbbreviationAIP
LeaderEngineer Rashid
ChairmanMohammad Yousuf Bhat
FounderEngineer Rashid
Founded2013
HeadquartersSrinagar
Youth wingAIP Youth Wing
IdeologyKashmiriyat
ECI Statusnot granted
AlliancePeople's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration
Seats in Lok Sabha
0 / 543
Seats in Rajya Sabha
0 / 245
Seats in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly
0 / 90
Seats in District Development Council
3 / 280
Website
awamiithadpartyjk.com

Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) is a political party founded by Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh, commonly known as Engineer Rashid. The AIP focuses on various regional issues and aims to represent the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir..[1]

The party has been active in local politics and has recently announced candidates for upcoming assembly elections.[2] They have also released a manifesto that includes promises such as the unconditional release of political prisoners and a ban on liquor sales[3] .

History

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Foundation
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The AIP was established in 2013 by Sheikh Abdul Rashid, commonly referred to as Engineer Rashid, who had previously been an independent Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the Langate constituency.[4] Rashid had gained prominence for his outspoken views on the Kashmir conflict and his consistent advocacy for a peaceful resolution to the region's political disputes. AIP was created as an alternative to both mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, like the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), as well as separatist factions.[5]

Ideology
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AIP's core ideology revolves around the right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as outlined in United Nations resolutions. The party calls for a plebiscite to allow the people of the region to decide their future, either with India or Pakistan or as an independent state. In addition, AIP advocates for demilitarization, the removal of laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), and an end to human rights abuses by security forces in the region.[6] AIP also focuses on improving socio-economic conditions for Kashmiris, addressing unemployment, and ensuring political rights for the people of the region.

Political Activities

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2014 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Election
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The party contested the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections on multiple seats, with its founder, Engineer Rashid, retaining his seat in Langate. [7]Despite not winning additional seats, AIP emerged as a vocal force within the state legislature. Engineer Rashid frequently brought attention to the plight of civilians in Kashmir, speaking on issues like the heavy militarization of the region, human rights violations, and economic hardships.[8]

Controversial Stances and Actions

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Engineer Rashid, as the face of AIP, has often taken controversial positions, especially concerning Kashmir's political status. He has consistently demanded a peaceful resolution through dialogue, including the involvement of Pakistan.[9] His bold actions, such as serving beef in defiance of a beef ban in Jammu and Kashmir, stirred significant controversy and led to heated debates within the legislature[10] . His calls for a plebiscite and critical views of the Indian state's policies in Kashmir have frequently placed him at odds with both state and central authorities[11] .

Impact of Article 370 Abrogation (2019)

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On August 5, 2019, the Indian government revoked Article 370, which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. This decision drastically changed the political landscape in the region. In response to the revocation, Engineer Rashid and several other political leaders in the region were detained.[12] Rashid was arrested under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and later by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with an alleged terror-funding case, a move seen by many as an attempt to curb dissent in the region[13] .

Since Rashid's detention, the activities of AIP have slowed significantly, with the party facing challenges in mobilizing its base without its charismatic leader.[14]

Role in the Gupkar Declaration

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In October 2020, AIP became part of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD)[15], an alliance of several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir aimed at restoring Article 370 and the special status of the region. The alliance, which includes the National Conference, PDP, and other regional parties, seeks the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy and opposes the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories[16]

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In 2019, Engineer Rashid was arrested on charges related to terror funding and has since remained in detention.[17] His arrest came in the context of heightened security measures and crackdowns on dissent following the abrogation of Article 370. His detention[18] has been criticized by various human rights organizations and international observers as an attempt to suppress political opposition in the region[19][20] . Despite legal challenges, AIP continues to advocate for the rights of Kashmiris and remains a significant player in the region's political landscape.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Gilani, Iftikhar (2024-06-22). "Kashmir Elections 2024: Engineer Rashid's Surprising Win Signals Political Shift". Frontline. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  2. ^ "AIP announces maiden list of nine candidates for assembly elections". Greater Kashmir. 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  3. ^ RAHEEM, TARIQUE (2024-09-11). "AIP's Firdous Baba files nomination papers for Kupwara". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  4. ^ "Langate Assembly Election 2024: Constituency profile, past winners, margin, party-wise candidates". www.indiatvnews.com. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  5. ^ "'Coming To Unite, Not To Divide': Er Rashid Out On Bail For 22 Days For J&K Elections". Outlook India. 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  6. ^ "Assembly polls: Er. Rashid's AIP makes political forces restive in Kashmir — The Kashmir Monitor". 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  7. ^ "Engineer Rashid's Political Journey: The 'Voice of Langate' – *Greater Kashmir, 2019".
  8. ^ Ali, Rifat Fareed,Arbab. "'Vote against jail': How two Modi critics won India election from prison". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-09-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ ""Awami Ittihad Party and the Kashmir Conflict" – Outlook India, 2016".
  10. ^ "Jammu and Kashmir: Against All Odds, Gupkar Alliance Gains Control of 8 DDCs". The Wire. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  11. ^ "Engineer Rashid says he is no 'BJP proxy'". The Hindu. 2024-09-11. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  12. ^ "Greater Kashmir - Engineer Rashid and AIP's Political Struggle".
  13. ^ Sruti, Swastika (2024-09-12). "'I Am Here To Find Solution For Kashmir Issue': Engineer Rashid After Released On Bail, Who Is He?". Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  14. ^ PTI (2024-09-12). "Engineer Rashid claims equidistant from BJP, INDIA bloc; says will contest 35-40 seats in J-K polls". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  15. ^ ""Awami Ittihad Party Joins Gupkar Declaration Alliance" – The Wire, 2020".
  16. ^ "Gupkar Declaration: Latest News, Photos, Videos on Gupkar Declaration". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  17. ^ "The Hindu - Engineer Rashid Detained Under Public Safety Act". The Hindu.
  18. ^ "The Wire - Engineer Rashid Arrested by NIA".
  19. ^ Fareed, Rifat. "Key Kashmir political leaders arrested by India since August 5". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  20. ^ ""Engineer Rashid Detained Under Public Safety Act" – The Indian Express".
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